Sonia R. GarcÍa is Associate Professor at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and serves as both the Chair of the Political Science Department and Graduate Director of Political Science. Valerie Martinez-Ebers is Associate Professor at Texas Christian University and became the first Latina president of the Western Political Science Association. Irasema Coronado is Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Sharon A. Navarro is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Patricia A. Jaramillo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

• Foreword by Patricia Madrid Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Understanding Latina Political Leadership Chapter 2. Areas of Inquiry: Why So Few Latinas Hold Public Office Chapter 3. Irma Rangel: The First Latina in the Texas Legislature Chapter 4. Latinas in the Texas Senate Chapter 5. Latinas in Statewide Office Chapter 6. Latinas on the Bench Chapter 7. Latinas as Mayors Chapter 8. Latinas in Local Government Epilogue Appendix A. Tables-Latinas in Public Office Appendix B. Interview Instrument Notes Bibliography Index

Sonia R. GarcÍa is Associate Professor at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and serves as both the Chair of the Political Science Department and Graduate Director of Political Science. Valerie Martinez-Ebers is Associate Professor at Texas Christian University and became the first Latina president of the Western Political Science Association. Irasema Coronado is Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Sharon A. Navarro is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Patricia A. Jaramillo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

• Foreword by Patricia Madrid Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Understanding Latina Political Leadership Chapter 2. Areas of Inquiry: Why So Few Latinas Hold Public Office Chapter 3. Irma Rangel: The First Latina in the Texas Legislature Chapter 4. Latinas in the Texas Senate Chapter 5. Latinas in Statewide Office Chapter 6. Latinas on the Bench Chapter 7. Latinas as Mayors Chapter 8. Latinas in Local Government Epilogue Appendix A. Tables-Latinas in Public Office Appendix B. Interview Instrument Notes Bibliography Index

Sonia R. GarcÍa is Associate Professor at St. Mary's University in San Antonio and serves as both the Chair of the Political Science Department and Graduate Director of Political Science. Valerie Martinez-Ebers is Associate Professor at Texas Christian University and became the first Latina president of the Western Political Science Association. Irasema Coronado is Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso and serves as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. Sharon A. Navarro is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Patricia A. Jaramillo is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

• Foreword by Patricia Madrid Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Understanding Latina Political Leadership Chapter 2. Areas of Inquiry: Why So Few Latinas Hold Public Office Chapter 3. Irma Rangel: The First Latina in the Texas Legislature Chapter 4. Latinas in the Texas Senate Chapter 5. Latinas in Statewide Office Chapter 6. Latinas on the Bench Chapter 7. Latinas as Mayors Chapter 8. Latinas in Local Government Epilogue Appendix A. Tables-Latinas in Public Office Appendix B. Interview Instrument Notes Bibliography Index